Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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199. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review taking place of the regional veterinary laboratories. [19553/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently undertaking a Strategic Review of its Laboratories as part of an Integrated Reform Delivery Plan agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to consider the best means of delivering laboratory services to customers. This review is considering all of the Department’s laboratories, including the central laboratory complex at Backweston and eight laboratories (including five Regional Veterinary Laboratories) located at other sites around the country. An extensive consultative process was initially undertaken with stakeholders. A Working Group was then convened, under an external chairman, Professor Alan Reilly, with the following Terms of Reference:

1. To define the laboratory services and expertise that the Department requires at present and in the foreseeable future;

2. To consider how these laboratory services and expertise can best be delivered; and

3. To outline an implementation plan, including timescale, for proposed changes.

The first meeting of the Working Group took place on 6 January 2015. The working group is considering various proposals at present. A report from this group is expected in due course.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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200. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the review contains a recommendation for the closure of regional veterinary laboratories at counties Sligo, Limerick, Cork and Kilkenny. [19554/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are no plans to close any of my Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories. A working group has been established to review the best way to provide laboratory diagnostic services to farmers and this continues to be our priority. As would be expected they are looking at a range of options on how best to do this and will make their recommendations in due course. However, as I have publicly stated previously, I do not intend to close any regional veterinary laboratories.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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201. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the review containing a recommendation for the closure of regional veterinary laboratories in Counties Sligo, Limerick, Cork, and Kilkenny. [19555/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A working group was established in January 2015 to undertake a Strategic review of my Department’s Laboratories and to report back to me with a series of recommendations. A report from the working group is expected in due course when my senior officials and I will give it appropriate consideration. However, as I have publicly stated previously, I do not intend to close any regional veterinary laboratories.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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202. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reassure the current laboratories that their existing status is secure. [19556/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A working group was established in January 2015 to undertake a Strategic review of my Department’s Laboratories and to report back to me with a series of recommendations. A report from the working group will be finalised in due course when my senior officials and I will give it due consideration. However, as I have publicly stated previously, I do not intend to close any regional veterinary laboratories.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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203. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the regional veterinary laboratories in Counties Sligo, Limerick, Cork and Kilkenny will be retained in their current form. [19557/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has no plans to change the current form of any of its Regional Veterinary Laboratories. All of these Regional Veterinary Laboratories will continue to operate as heretofore, providing a range of laboratory diagnostic support services to the farming community through private veterinary practitioners.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of employment of the workers at the regional veterinary laboratories in Counties Sligo, Limerick, Cork and Kilkenny. [19558/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The status of employment of the workers employed in my Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories in counties Sligo, Limerick, Cork and Kilkenny, remains unchanged. All of these workers are Civil Servants serving in various different roles.